I feel like this would be the case on any team except San Antonio or Cleveland.

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-Likely contend, or at least advance in the playoffs.

Lots of teams would be as likely to contend as NY if they had Kobe. Perhaps all teams?

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-Big market $$$

I've got to think that this is what it comes down to. I know he wants to win, but as long as he's got NYC on his list above Milwaukee or Memphis, you know he's not fully committed to putting winning first.

Milwaukee could offer Yi+Redd, which is better than anything NY could offer, and would leave Kobe with Williams/Simmons/Villanueva/Bogut, which is also better than what NY would have left after moving pieces for Kobe.

Memphis could offer Conley+Gay+Warrick (+Swift and Cardinal for salar) which is also better than anything NY can offer, and still have Gasol/Miller/Darko/Stoudamire left over. That's a much better team than what NY would have.

Heck Portland could give the Lakers Aldridge+Roy, and still leave Kobe with Oden+Frye. That'd be more of a gamble on Kobe's part, but I think a ring would be more likely there with a dominant center than in NY.

If the Lakers wait too long to trade him, then they aren't gonna get equal value and they gotta keep the Staples Center sold out on a nightly basis. Fans aren't gonna pay out thousands of dollars for a courtside seat to see Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Learn from Philly's mistake. If you're up in the air about as to whether or not to keep/deal him, you might as well do it now while he still has prime years left. Also, he wants out and championship teams--hell, even teams that enjoy some measure of success, don't have disgruntled employees running around and poisoning the air.

I've got to think that this is what it comes down to. I know he wants to win, but as long as he's got NYC on his list above Milwaukee or Memphis, you know he's not fully committed to putting winning first.

Milwaukee could offer Yi+Redd, which is better than anything NY could offer, and would leave Kobe with Williams/Simmons/Villanueva/Bogut, which is also better than what NY would have left after moving pieces for Kobe.

Memphis could offer Conley+Gay+Warrick (+Swift and Cardinal for salar) which is also better than anything NY can offer, and still have Gasol/Miller/Darko/Stoudamire left over. That's a much better team than what NY would have.

Heck Portland could give the Lakers Aldridge+Roy, and still leave Kobe with Oden+Frye. That'd be more of a gamble on Kobe's part, but I think a ring would be more likely there with a dominant center than in NY.

Actually, it's not just about the players currently in place in NYC or elsewhere. It's also about that teams ABILITY to put the players in place. Isaiah Thomas has proven to be aggressive...he also drafts well. Players want to be in NYC. It's just a great city and the biggest stage.

I feel like this would be the case on any team except San Antonio or Cleveland.
Lots of teams would be as likely to contend as NY if they had Kobe. Perhaps all teams?
I've got to think that this is what it comes down to. I know he wants to win, but as long as he's got NYC on his list above Milwaukee or Memphis, you know he's not fully committed to putting winning first.

Milwaukee could offer Yi+Redd, which is better than anything NY could offer, and would leave Kobe with Williams/Simmons/Villanueva/Bogut, which is also better than what NY would have left after moving pieces for Kobe.

Memphis could offer Conley+Gay+Warrick (+Swift and Cardinal for salar) which is also better than anything NY can offer, and still have Gasol/Miller/Darko/Stoudamire left over. That's a much better team than what NY would have.

Heck Portland could give the Lakers Aldridge+Roy, and still leave Kobe with Oden+Frye. That'd be more of a gamble on Kobe's part, but I think a ring would be more likely there with a dominant center than in NY.

Well of course, I mean, not many superstars want to play on Memphis or Portland so yea going to a big market helps. Besides Memphis and Portland are both in the West where your chances of getting far are a lot slimmer. If Lakers were trading Kobe though...I'd take those two offers in heartbeat.

Hes talked about how much loves to play in the garden, how he loves NY. Isiah will go the distance too. He'll do anything to get Kobe and he'll do anything to build a championship team around him. That's commitment. He's been ultra aggressive in trying to build a winning team already.

The reason I dont think money plays a big role in it because he will be leaving 25 mil if he does opt out (which he will do if Lakers dont trade him).

hotsizzle, you're a Lakers fan right? Why did Kobe make a list of big market teams? Why not just all the teams that could contend with him there? It seems like it's still about the money for him - why not tell the Lakers that he'd like to go to any team that has either A: another superstar, or B: 2 other all-star level players?

He has to be capable of looking at NY's roster and knowing what they'd be after they move a few pieces for Kobe.

actually this was addressed by what's his name the addidas shoe guy (his name escapes me right now arrggg) kobe probably has like most athletes, that sign with nike or addidas a stipulation that they get paid more if they play in a major market..

oh sonny vicaro is the guys name....lol

but your question does fuel the question, if kobe wnts to win so badly why choose teams that could not offer him any better a chance than he has now? surely a team like san antonio or detroit possibly dallas offer better chances at a ring then chi town or NY...

and forgive me knicks fans, but what in the last few years does kobe see to suggest that the knicks front office is any better than LA's?

If the Lakers wait too long to trade him, then they aren't gonna get equal value and they gotta keep the Staples Center sold out on a nightly basis. Fans aren't gonna pay out thousands of dollars for a courtside seat to see Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Learn from Philly's mistake. If you're up in the air about as to whether or not to keep/deal him, you might as well do it now while he still has prime years left. Also, he wants out and championship teams--hell, even teams that enjoy some measure of success, don't have disgruntled employees running around and poisoning the air.

i feel the lakers if they don't move him now they are better off letting him walk... to be honest they will never get true value correct? so instead of taking on a bunch of contracts that don't help the team why not let kobe walk and have that 23 million dollars off the books and go shopping on their own?...
in two years if kobe walked the lakers would have a roster with about 42 million in cap space...that's alot of room to make moves with